Body and underbody maintenance (Mondeo 1 and 2)

The overall condition of a vehicle's body is one of the parameters that determines its value. Body maintenance is not difficult, but it must be done regularly. Neglecting this rule, especially after minor damage, can quickly lead to further deterioration of the body and expensive repairs. It is important to remember this and pay attention to those parts of the car that are difficult to inspect, such as underneath, inside the wheel arches and in the lower part of the engine compartment.

The most basic form of body maintenance is to wash it regularly with plenty of water (using a hose). This helps remove any solid particles that may have stuck to the car. It is important to remove all these particles during the washing process to prevent future scratches. It is essential to wash the wheel arches and subframe to remove all the dirt that holds moisture and accelerates the rusting process. It may seem strange, but the best time to clean the subframe and wheel arches is wet weather, when the dirt remains damp and soft. In very wet weather, the subframe usually automatically clears itself of large build-ups of dirt and this is the best time to inspect it.

With the exception of vehicles with a wax-based underbody coating, it is recommended that the subframe and engine bay be steam cleaned periodically to allow a thorough inspection to determine whether minor repairs or replacements are necessary. Steam cleaning is available in many workshops and is essential for removing oily dirt. If steam cleaning is not available, cleaning with oil solvents applied with a brush may be possible. In this case, the dirt may simply be dissolved. Please note that these methods should not be used on vehicles with a wax-based underbody coating, as this will remove the coating. Such vehicles should be inspected annually, preferably before winter, with the underbody washed and any damaged areas of the coating repaired. The best option is to replace the coating entirely. It is also advisable to use injection wax protection on door panels, window sills, etc., as this provides additional protection against rust in areas not provided by the manufacturer.

After washing the paintwork, wipe it dry with a chamois to ensure that the finish is smooth. Applying a coat of polish will provide additional protection against the elements. If the paintwork has lost its shine, use a mixture of cleaner and polish. It requires some effort to apply, but the loss of shine is usually the result of infrequent washing. Particular care should be taken when caring for metallic paintwork: non-abrasive cleaners and polishes should be used for the finish. Always check that the holes and tubes provided for drainage and ventilation are completely open and that water can flow freely through them. A dirty film may occasionally appear on the windscreen and windows, which should be removed with a suitable glass cleaner. Never use wax or polishing pastes for bodywork or chrome parts to clean the glass.